Print processing device and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A print processing device including a printing unit to print an image on a sheet, a reading unit to read a sheet, an operation unit including keys to be operated by a user, a print control unit to cause the printing unit to print either a first sheet for selecting an image from a plurality of images stored in a storage medium or a second sheet for selecting a language to be used in the first sheet, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze an image read by the reading unit. If a language is not registered, when the image corresponding to the second sheet is detected as an analysis result by the analyzing unit, the first sheet is printed using a language associated with the detected image and when the image corresponding to the second sheet is not detected, the second sheet is printed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a print processing device for printinga sheet and controlling printing according to a result of reading thefilled out sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to asMFP) having both a reading unit configured to read a document and aprinting unit configured to perform printing has been widely used, andvarious techniques utilizing the two functions are discussed. One ofthese techniques is a technique for printing a mark sheet (amark-sensing sheet) which is filled out with a pencil or a pen by auser, reading the filled-out mark sheet, analyzing an image acquired byreading the mark-sensing sheet, and controlling printing based on aresult of analysis (hereinafter referred to as a “sheet scanningsystem”).

As for an example of the sheet scanning system, Japanese Patent No.3,343,280 discusses a function for printing the image according to aresult of reading the mark-sensing sheet when a user designates adesired image and number of print copies using the mark-sensing sheet.Further, Japanese Patent No. 3,343,280 discusses a technique in which auser can use a plurality of types of mark-sensing sheets in the sheetscanning system. The sheet scanning system determines a type of themark-sensing sheet when the system reads the mark-sensing sheet andcontrols printing according to the type of the mark-sensing sheetdetermined.

Japanese Patent No. 2,818,044 discusses a sheet scanning system by whicha user can perform settings of an MFP or select a method of printing animage.

Thus, even when an MFP does not include a user interface such as adisplay device or a key device, notification of information to a userand input of an instruction from a user can be performed by using thesheet scanning system.

When printing is controlled using a mark-sensing sheet, a sheet to beprinted includes various kinds of guidance for a user such as a contentof the sheet, a method for filling out the sheet, and an operationprocedure of the sheet scanning system. Although the guidance needs tobe described with a proper language for a user, a native language of theuser cannot be limited to one language. Therefore, the MFP using thesheet scanning system needs to support a plurality of languages andallows a user to select a language to be used.

However, when a device does not include proper user interfaces such as adisplay device and a key device, the aforementioned selecting of thelanguage may be difficult. Therefore, the device needs a sheet forsetting a language used for printing on a mark-sensing sheet in additionto a sheet for executing intended processing. Thus, it becomes difficultfor a user to understand an entire operation procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a print processing device capableof automatically printing a necessary sheet even when a language is notset in a sheet scanning system.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a print processingdevice including a printing unit configured to print an image on asheet, a reading unit configured to read a sheet placed on a documentstand, an operation unit configured to include a plurality of keys andto be operated by a user, a print control unit configured to cause theprinting unit to print at least any one of a first sheet for selectingan image from a plurality of images stored in a storage medium and asecond sheet for selecting a language to be used in the first sheet, areading control unit configured to cause the reading unit to executereading in response to pressing of a predetermined key included in theoperation unit, and an analyzing unit configured to analyze an imageacquired as a result of reading by the reading control unit. If alanguage is not registered, when the image corresponding to the secondsheet is detected as a result of analysis by the analyzing unit, theprint control unit causes the printing unit to print the first sheetusing a language associated with the detected image and when the imagecorresponding to the second sheet is not detected as the result ofanalysis by the analyzing unit, the print control unit causes theprinting unit to print the second sheet.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features,and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an MFP.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP.

FIG. 3 illustrates printing of a mark-sensing sheet.

FIG. 4 illustrates photography printing according to a mark-sensingsheet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a language setting sheet to be printed by an MFP.

FIG. 6 illustrates a print instruction sheet to be printed by an MFP.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing according topressing of a predetermined key.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a filled-out language setting sheet inan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a filled-out print instruction sheet inthe exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the inventionwill be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an MFP 100. The MFP100 is an example of a printing device and includes an operation unit101, a card interface 102, a reading unit 103, and a recording unit 104.The MFP 100 is initially set up with the reading unit 103 and therecording unit 104 closed. When a user performs copying or prints aphotograph by a sheet scanning system, the reading unit 103 and therecording unit 104 are opened as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the MFP 100executes functions requested by the user.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 100.The same reference numerals are added to the same components in FIG. 1.The MFP 100 includes the operation unit 101, the card interface 102, thereading unit 103, the recording unit 104, a central processing unit(CPU) 200, a read only memory (ROM) 201, a random access memory (RAM)202, a nonvolatile RAM 203, an image processing unit 204, a driving unit205, and a sensor unit 206.

The CPU 200 controls various functions of the MFP 100 and executes aprogram for image processing stored in the ROM 201 in response to apredetermined operation in the operation unit 101.

The ROM 201 stores a control command program of the MFP 100. The readingunit 103 includes a charge coupled device (CCD). The CCD reads adocument image and outputs analog luminance data of red (R), green (G),and blue (B) colors. The reading unit 103 can include a contact imagesensor (CIS) instead of the CCD. Further, the reading unit 103 can bealso used for reading a device control sheet and a language settingsheet 500, which are described below.

The card interface 102 reads image data photographed by a digital stillcamera (hereinafter referred to as DSC) and stored in a memory card inresponse to a predetermined operation of the operation unit 101. A colorspace of the image data which is read via the card interface 102 isconverted from a color space of the DSC (e.g., YCbCr color space) to astandard RGB color space (e.g., National Television System Committee(NTSC)-RGB color space or standard RGB (sRGB) color space), ifnecessary. The read image data is subjected to various processing neededfor an application, e.g., resolution conversion to an effective pixelnumber, if necessary, based on header information included in an imagefile including the image data.

The image processing unit 204 executes image processing, such as imageanalysis, thumbnail creation, thumbnail correction, and output imagecorrection. The print data acquired by these image processing is storedin the RAM 202. When the print data stored in the RAM 202 reaches apredetermined amount which is required to record the data in therecording unit 104, the recording unit 104 executes a recordingoperation. In the above described image processing, different pieces ofthe print data are created according to various print settings, e.g., arecording paper size, a recording paper type, whether date is entered ornot, and whether borderless printing is performed or not.

The nonvolatile RAM 203 is a battery backed-up static random accessmemory (SRAM) and stores data specific to the MFP 100. In order toselect image data stored in a storage medium and start recording, theoperation unit 101 includes a sheet scan start key in the sheet scanningsystem, and a monochrome image copy start key and a color image copystart key for monochrome image copying and color image copying. Theoperation unit 101 further includes a color image start key, a mode keyfor designating a mode such as copy resolution and a image quality, astop key for stopping a copy operation, a numeric keypad and aregistration key for inputting a number of copies, and a cursor key fordesignating a unit for selecting an image file to be printed. The CPU200 detects pressed states of these keys and controls each unitaccording to these pressed states.

The recording unit 104 includes an inkjet head in an inkjet system, anda general-use integrated circuit (IC). The recording unit 104 readsstorage data stored in the RAM 202 and prints and outputs the storagedata as a hard copy according to a control of the CPU 200. The drivingunit 205 includes a stepping motor for driving sheet feeding anddischarging rollers in operation of the reading unit 103 and therecording unit 104, gears for transmitting driving force of the steppingmotor, and a driver circuit for controlling the stepping motor.

The sensor unit 206 includes a recording sheet width sensor, a recordingsheet presence sensor, a document width sensor, a document presencesensor, and a recording medium detection sensor. The CPU 200 detectsstates of a document and a recording sheet based on information acquiredfrom these sensors.

The MFP 100 has the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, however, theMFP 100 is not particularly limited to that configuration. For example,although the MFP 100 in FIG. 2 does not have a display unit, the MFP canhave the display unit. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2,the MFP 100 reads image data from a memory card using the card interface102, but can read an image from a storage device fixed in the MFP or anexternal storage device connected by wired or wireless connection.

Processing for implementing a function for connecting the DSC and theMFP and printing a photograph taken by the DSC (hereinafter referred toas “direct photography printing”) using the sheet scanning system willbe described. An operation of the present exemplary embodiment will bedescribed below. FIG. 3 illustrates printing of a mark-sensing sheet.FIG. 4 illustrates photography printing according to the mark-sensingsheet. A photography printing function is implemented by the sheetscanning system such that a photograph which a user desires is printedby printing a mark-sensing sheet 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 and analyzingthe mark-sensing sheet 300 illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the MFP performs photography printing bythe sheet scanning system, the recording unit 104 prints themark-sensing sheet 300 first. In the mark-sensing sheet, an image data301 stored in a memory card connected to the MFP 100 is arranged with apredetermined layout. The image data can be data stored in the memorycard or a thumbnail image with low resolution created in the imageprocessing unit 204. Further, if the stored image data is a file havingan exchangeable image file (Exif) format, the file includes a thumbnailimage in its header area, so that the recording unit 104 can acquire andprint the thumbnail image.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the reading unit 103 scans and analyzes themark-sensing sheet 300 and a photography printing result 401 is printedaccording to a result determined from a content filled out by a user.

A sheet for instructing photography printing in the sheet scanningsystem will be referred to as “a print instruction sheet”. A user candesignate image data, set a number of print copies of the designatedimage data, and designate a print method of the image data designated,by filling out the print instruction sheet. The MFP 100 executes printcontrol according to a result of scanning and analyzing the printinstruction sheet.

In order to print the print instruction sheet, it is necessary topreviously determine a describing language in the print instructionsheet. In the exemplary embodiment, the MFP 100 determines whichlanguage is used for printing the print instruction sheet, by using thesheet scanning system. The sheet will be referred to as “a languagesetting sheet”.

FIG. 5 illustrates a language setting sheet 500 printed by the MFP 100.In the exemplary embodiment, the MFP 100 executes the direct photographyprinting using the above described print instruction sheet and languagesetting sheet.

The language setting sheet 500 is a sheet for determining which languageis used for printing the print instruction sheet with the MFP 100, byusing the sheet scanning system. The language setting sheet 500illustrated in FIG. 5 is, for example, a print laid out on a recordingsheet of an A4 size and includes an operation instruction section 501and a language selection section 502.

The operation instruction section 501 is an area for describing anoperation procedure so that a user can smoothly perform an operationusing the language setting sheet 500. For example, a method for fillingout the language setting sheet 500 and an operation method using thefilled-out language setting sheet 500 are described in the operationinstruction section 501. In FIG. 5, the operation procedure is describedby a respective language which can be used to set an instruction byfilling out the language setting sheet 500. In the exemplary embodiment,a content to be described in the operation instruction section 501 isnot particularly limited.

The language selection section 502 is an area into which a user inputs alanguage by filling out that the user wants to use in the printinstruction sheet. In the example in FIG. 5, selectable languages areEnglish, German, French, Italian, and Japanese, and the user can selectone language among them. In the language selection section 502,selectable languages are described by the respective languages. A numberand kinds of languages which can be selected in the language selectionsection 502 are not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 5. In theexemplary embodiment, layouts of the operation instruction section 501and language selection section 502 are not specified. Thus, the languagesetting sheet 500 can also be formed with a layout other than the oneillustrated in FIG. 5.

As described above, the language setting sheet 500 is printed assumingthat there is a plurality of languages to be used by a user.Accordingly, even the MFP which does not have a display unit can set alanguage to be used on the print instruction sheet.

A print instruction sheet 600 will be described. The print instructionsheet 600 in the exemplary embodiment is a sheet used for executing asetting necessary for the direct photography printing by the sheetscanning system. Contents to be instructed by the print instructionsheet 600 are roughly divided into two parts. A first instruction is aprint control instruction indicating a content of print control which isnecessary for the recording unit 104 to print the print data. A secondinstruction is an image selection instruction for designating whichimage data stored in a memory is an object to be printed.

FIG. 6 illustrates the print instruction sheet 600 printed by the MFP100. The print instruction sheet 600 is, for example, a print laid outon a recording sheet of an A4 size. The print instruction sheet 600 inFIG. 6 includes a header section 601, an image selection section 602, afooter section 603, and a barcode section 604.

The header section 601 is an area for inputting the print controlinstruction by filling out the section. The print control instructionwhich can be made in the section depends on specifications of therecording unit 104 and the image processing unit 204 of the MFP 100.Therefore, a user utilizes a mark-sensing sheet system which isappropriate to a method for selecting a desired setting from amongoptions previously provided conforming to the specifications of the MFP100.

More specifically, in an item of “print setting” in the header section601 illustrated in FIG. 6, a user can select one of a L size, a 2L size,an A4 size, and a letter (LTR) size. As an item of “option setting” inthe header section 601, options relating to effect processing about animage to be printed are provided. In FIG. 6, the user can select any ofthe date, an automatic correction, a bright face correction, and ared-eye correction. In the exemplary embodiment, a content of printcontrol set in the header section 601 is not particularly limited, and“print setting” or “option setting” can also include setting contentsother than the setting contents illustrated in FIG. 6, and the settingcontents can be different according to the language set in the languagesetting sheet 500.

The image selection section 602 is an area for inputting the object tobe printed, by filling out the section, from among the image data of thememory. Selectable images in the section are stored in the memory andreduced in a layout in the print instruction sheet 600. The imageselection section 602 illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured such that auser can select a total of 30 images from an image “1” to an image “30”.Therefore, when the memory stores 31 or more images, two or more sheetsof the print instruction sheet 600 are printed. In the exemplaryembodiment, 30 selectable images can be laid out in the image selectionsection 602 in the print instruction sheet 600, but a number of theimages to be laid out is not particularly specified.

The footer section 603 describes an operation procedure performed aftera user fills out the print instruction sheet 600. The print instructionsheet 600 in the exemplary embodiment has the footer section 603, butthe footer section 603 is not indispensable.

The barcode section 604 includes information necessary for the directphotography printing other than the print control instruction designatedin the header section 601. For example, the barcode section 604 includesa total number of images included in the print instruction sheet 600 (30images in FIG. 6) and information used for determining image datacorresponding to an image to be printed in stored image data. Thebarcode section 604 also indicates a type of a sheet. In the exemplaryembodiment, a format of the barcode section 604 is not particularlyspecified.

In the exemplary embodiment, layout of the header section 601, the imageselection section 602, the footer section 603, and the barcode section604 are not particularly specified. Thus, the print instruction sheet600 can also be formed by a specification other than the layoutillustrated in FIG. 6. The print instruction sheet 600 in FIG. 6 isdisplayed in English but any language set in the language setting sheet500 can be used in the print instruction sheet 600.

An entire operation of the direct photography printing according to theexemplary embodiment in which a user executes printing of a photographtaken by the DSC using the sheet scanning system will be described.

Mark-sensing sheets used in the exemplary embodiment are the languagesetting sheet 500 and the print instruction sheet 600. The memory cardis used as a storage device. The memory card storing the photographtaken by the DSC is inserted into the card interface 102 and image datais acquired. It is assumed that a key device in the operation unit 101used in the exemplary embodiment is only a sheet scan start key.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for printing in responseto pressing of a predetermined key. More specifically, FIG. 7illustrates processing for performing the direct photography printingusing the language setting sheet 500 and the print instruction sheet 600when the memory card storing image data is mounted. An outline of thedirect photography printing will be described.

In step S701, the user presses the sheet scan start key in the operationunit 101. In step S702, the MFP 100 detects the image data in the memorycard inserted in the card interface 102. Instep S703, the MFP 100determines whether there is image data in the memory card based on aresult of the detection in step S702. More specifically, in steps S702,the MFP 100 tries to access the memory card and, in step S703, divergesfollowing processing according to presence or absence of the image data.When the MFP 100 does not detect the image data (NO in step S703),processing proceeds to step S704 and the MFP 100 does not execute anyprocessing and ends processing.

It is determined whether there is the image data in the memory card instep S703, before the MFP 100 performs processing using the mark-sensingsheet. By this determination, the MFP 100 can inform a user that whetherthe readable image data is included in the memory card or the memorycard is not inserted in the card interface 102. For example, when theuser presses the sheet scan start key to start the direct photographyprinting without inserting the memory card into the card interface 102,the MFP 100 informs the user that the user needs to prepare the memorycard.

On the other hand, when the MFP 100 detects the image data (YES in stepS703), processing proceeds to step S705 and the reading unit 103performs scanning to read the mark-sensing sheet. In step S706, theMFP100 determines whether a language to be used in the print instructionsheet 600 is registered in the MFP 100. Based on the languageregistration determination in step S706, the MFP100 determines whetherthe print instruction sheet 600 or the language setting sheet 500 isused as a target for analyzing the data read in step S705.

If the MFP100 determines that the language used in the print instructionsheet 600 is not registered in the MFP 100 (NO in step S706), then insteps S707 to S711, the MFP100 registers the language. The languageregistration is described below.

In step S707, when the language used in the print instruction sheet 600is not registered in the MFP 100, the MFP100 analyzes whether thelanguage setting sheet 500 is read, from the image data read in stepS705. The MFP100 can perform the analysis based on features such as alayout of the language setting sheet, or by providing a barcodeindicating a type of a sheet when the language setting sheet 500 isprinted and reading the barcode.

In step S708, the MFP100 determines whether the language setting sheet500 is read based on a result of analysis. If the MFP100 determines thatthe language setting sheet 500 is read (YES in step S708), then in stepS709, the MFP100 registers the language to be used in the printinstruction sheet 600 in the MFP 100 based on the result of analysis instep S707. When the MFP100 cannot specify a language selected, e.g., theuser does not fill out the language setting sheet, the processing can beended as an error.

An example of setting of a language by the language setting sheet willbe described. FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a filled-out languagesetting sheet 500 in the exemplary embodiment. For example, a case isdescribed where the language setting sheet 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 isfilled out as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this example, since the usermarks English in the language selection section 502, the MFP100 setsEnglish as the language to be used when the print instruction sheet 600is printed.

In step S710, the recording unit 104 prints the print instruction sheet600 after the MFP100 registers the language in step S709. Accordingly,the user can print the print instruction sheet 600 described in theregistered language only by pressing the sheet scan start key. Further,the user can confirm whether the MFP100 sets the language marked in thelanguage setting sheet 500 by directly looking at the print instructionsheet 600 printed in step S710.

In step S708, if the MFP100 determines that the language setting sheet500 is not read (NO in step S708), then in step S711, the recording unit104 prints the language setting sheet 500.

An example of printing of the language setting sheet in step S711 willbe described. In this example, a user inserts a memory card into thecard interface 102 in the MFP 100 in which a language to be used in theprint instruction sheet 600 is unregistered at a time of shipping,presses the sheet scan start key, and starts the direct photographyprinting.

When the MFP 100 initially performs the direct photography printing,both the language setting sheet 500 and the print instruction sheet 600are not prepared, so that a mark-sensing sheet is not placed on thereading unit 103. Therefore, the MFP 100 determines that no language isregistered in step S706 (NO in step S706), and determines that thelanguage setting sheet is not read in step S708 (NO in step S708). Thus,in step S711, the recording unit 104 prints the language setting sheet500. Thus, since the recording unit 104 prints the language settingsheet 500 after the user presses the sheet scan start key, the user canunderstand that it is necessary to fill out the language setting sheet500 and set a language at first.

As for another method for printing the language setting sheet 500, alanguage setting sheet print key for printing the language setting sheet500 can be provided in the operation unit 101, and a user presses thekey to print the language setting sheet 500. For example, when thelanguage setting sheet 500 is needed to reset a language in the MFP 100in which the language is already registered, the user can print thelanguage setting sheet 500 only by pressing the language setting sheetprint key.

In step S706, when the MFP100 determines that the language to be used inthe print instruction sheet 600 is registered in the MFP 100 (YES instep S706), processing proceeds to steps S712 to S719 and the MFP 100performs the direct photography printing. Processing in steps S712 toS719 will be described.

If the language to be used in the print instruction sheet 600 isregistered in the MFP 100 (YES in step S706), then in step S712, theMFP100 analyzes whether the print instruction sheet 600 is read based onthe image data read in step S705. The MFP 100 can perform the analysisbased on the features such as a layout of the print instruction sheet ora barcode provided on the sheet.

In step S713, the MFP100 determines whether the print instruction sheet600 is read as a result of the analysis. When the print instructionsheet 600 is read (YES in step S713), then in step S714, the MFP 100prints image data in the memory card based on the analyzed image data.If selection of the image data by the user is not specified, e.g., theuser does not fill out the print instruction sheet 600, the MFP100 mayend the processing as an error.

An example of printing of the image data by the print instruction sheet600 will be described. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a filled-outprint instruction sheet 600 in the exemplary embodiment. For example,the print instruction sheet 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 is filled out asillustrated in FIG. 9.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, a 2L size is marked in “printsetting” in the header section 601, and the date, automatic correction,and red-eye correction are marked in “option setting”. In the imageselection section 602, a total number of 7 images of “2”, “7”, “8”,“15”, “21”, “28”, and “29” are marked. In “paper feed port” in thefooter section 603, “rear tray” is marked. Based on the markedinformation, the MFP100 performs image processing of the selected 7images, and prints the selected 7 images on a sheet of 2L size set onthe rear tray.

When the MFP100 determines that the print instruction sheet 600 is notread in step S713 (NO in step S713), the MFP100 determines whether thelanguage setting sheet 500 is placed on the reading unit 103. The reasonof this processing is that the user may cause the reading unit 103 toread the language setting sheet 500 in order to change a registeredlanguage.

Processing from steps S715 to S718 is similar to the processing fromsteps S707 to S710. The MFP 100 can reset a language by performinglanguage registration even when the language to be used in the printinstruction sheet 600 is registered. When the user causes the MFP100 toread the language setting sheet 500 which is placed on the reading unit103 to register a language, the MFP100 determines that the languagesetting sheet is read in step S716 (YES in S716), but a language to beregistered in step S717 is not changed. When the MFP100 prints the printinstruction sheet 600 in step S718 in the language which is not changed,the user can understand that it is necessary to read the printinstruction sheet 600.

When the MFP 100 determines that the print instruction sheet 600 is notread in step S713 (NO in step S713) and further determines that thelanguage setting sheet 500 is not read in step S716 (NO in step S716),processing proceeds to step S719. In step S719, the recording unit 104prints the print instruction sheet 600 since the language to be used inthe print instruction sheet 600 is already registered.

An example of printing of the print instruction sheet 600 in step S719will be described. In this example, the user inserts the memory cardinto the card interface 102 in the MFP 100 in which the language to beused in the print instruction sheet 600 is registered, presses the sheetscan start key, and starts the direct photography printing. In thiscase, the MFP 100 determines that the print instruction sheet 600 is notread in step S713 (NO in step S713), and further determines that thelanguage setting sheet 500 is not read in step S716 (NO in step S716).Thus, in step S719, the recording unit 104 prints the print instructionsheet 600. In other words, when the user presses the sheet scan startkey without placing the sheet, the recording unit 104 prints the printinstruction sheet 600. Thus, the user can understand that it isnecessary to fill out the print instruction sheet 600 and causes theMFP100 to read the sheet as an operation for performing photographyprinting.

By repeating the above described processing procedure of FIG. 7, theuser can acquire a sheet necessary at that moment only by pressing thesheet scan start key.

A case is described in which the language to be used in the printinstruction sheet 600 is unregistered at the time of shipping, and auser inserts a memory card into the card interface 102 and starts directphotography printing for the first time. At the beginning of processing,both the language setting sheet 500 and the print instruction sheet 600are not printed. Thus, in step S701, the user presses the sheet scanstart key without placing a mark-sensing sheet on the reading unit 103.Then, in step S711, after detecting the image data, since a language isnot registered, the MFP 100 prints the language setting sheet 500.

Thus, the user can understand that it is necessary to set a languageusing the language setting sheet 500 printed in step S711. Then, theuser fills out the language setting sheet 500 and places the languagesetting sheet 500 on the reading unit 103. Then, in step S701, the userpresses again the sheet scan start key. The MFP 100 analyzes the scannedimage data and sets the language designated by the user. Then, in stepS710, the MFP 100 prints the print instruction sheet 600 using thedesignated language.

The user can understand that it is necessary to perform print settingfor a photograph, from the output print instruction sheet 600. The userfills out the print instruction sheet 600 and places the printinstruction sheet 600 on the reading unit 103. Then, in step S701, theuser presses again the sheet scan start key. The MFP 100 analyzes theprint instruction sheet 600 and prints the photograph designated by theuser.

On the other hand, a case will be described when the user inserts thememory card into the card interface 102 in the MFP 100 in which thelanguage to be used in the print instruction sheet 600 is registered atthe time of shipping, presses the sheet scan start key, and startsinitial direct photography printing for the first time.

In such a case, at the beginning of the processing, both the languagesetting sheet 500 and the print instruction sheet 600 are not printed.Thus, in step S701, the user presses the sheet scan start key while amark-sensing sheet is not placed on the reading unit 103. In steps S702and S703, the MFP 100 detects image data in the memory card, checkswhether there is image data to be printed in the memory card, anddetermines whether the direct photography printing can be executed. Instep S719, after detecting the image data, the MFP 100 prints the printinstruction sheet 600 using the language which is already registered.

The user can understand that it is necessary to perform print settingfor a photograph, from the output print instruction sheet 600. The userfills out the print instruction sheet 600 and places the printinstruction sheet 600 on the reading unit 103. Then, in step S701, theuser presses again the sheet scan start key. By this operation, the MFP100 analyzes the image data read from the print instruction sheet 600.Then, in step S714, the MFP 100 prints the photograph designated by theuser.

If the MFP 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment is shippedto a region where it is expected that a kind of language to be used islimited, a manufacturer can ship the MFP 100 in which the languages tobe used are registered. When the MFP 100 is shipped to a region where itis expected that a plurality of languages is used, the manufacturer canship the MFP 100 in which a language is not registered.

In such cases, when the language to be used is not registered at thetime of shipping, a user can automatically print the language settingsheet only by pressing the sheet scan start key according to theprocessing procedure illustrated in FIG. 7. When the language to be usedis registered at the time of shipping, a user can automatically printthe print instruction sheet only by pressing the sheet scan key.Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment, when the language tobe used in the print instruction sheet 600 is already registered in theMFP 100 at the time of shipping, a user does not need to performlanguage setting.

According to the aforementioned processing, it is realized that the MFP100 determines whether a language designated by the languageregistration determination in step S706 is registered, and amark-sensing sheet to be used subsequently in the next processing can beprinted according to an analysis result of the mark-sensing sheet, afterpressing only one key. Therefore, the MFP 100 allows a user tounderstand a necessary operation without using a manual on a displaydevice. When the MFP 100 cannot detect a sheet to be read, as a resultof reading, the MFP 100 can print a necessary sheet and allow a user toeasily understand an operation without a help such as a manual.

Further, when a user performs language setting displayed on amark-sensing sheet, the user can print a sheet using the designatedlanguage only by pressing a predetermined key. Thus, the user can easilyconfirm that the language is set as designated by the user.

In the present invention, since a user can print a necessary sheet onlyby pressing one predetermined key, operation procedures from languagesetting to printing a photograph can be performed easily. Even when aMFP does not include a device that gives an instruction for anoperation, such as a display device, the MFP can indicate a printingoperation by a sheet scanning system to a user.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2008-203832 filed Aug. 7, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. A print processing device comprising: a printing unit configured toprint an image on a sheet; a reading unit configured to read a sheet; anoperation unit configured to include a plurality of keys for operationby a user; a print control unit configured to cause the printing unit toprint, at least, any one of a first sheet for selecting an image from aplurality of images stored in a storage medium and a second sheet forselecting a language to be used in the first sheet; a reading controlunit configured to cause the reading unit to execute reading in responseto pressing of a predetermined key included in the operation unit; andan analyzing unit configured to analyze an image acquired as a result ofreading by the reading unit, wherein, if a language is not registered,when an image corresponding to the second sheet is detected as a resultof analysis by the analyzing unit, the print control unit is configuredto cause the printing unit to print the first sheet using a languageassociated with the detected image, and wherein, when the imagecorresponding to the second sheet is not detected as a result of theanalysis by the analyzing unit, the print control unit is configured tocause the printing unit to print the second sheet.
 2. The printprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein, if the language isregistered, and if an image corresponding to the first sheet is detectedas a result of the analysis by the analyzing unit, the print controlunit is configured to cause the printing unit to print a designatedimage based on the detected image from among a plurality of imagesstored in the storage medium.
 3. The print processing device accordingto claim 1, wherein, if the language is registered, and if an imagecorresponding to the first sheet is not detected as a result of theanalysis by the analyzing unit, the print control unit is configured tocause the printing unit to print the first sheet.
 4. The printprocessing device according to claim 3, wherein when the imagecorresponding to the second sheet is detected as a result of theanalysis by the analyzing unit, the print control unit is configured tocause the printing unit to print the first sheet using the languageassociated with the detected image.
 5. The print processing deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the operation unit comprises a key forinstructing printing of the second sheet and is configured to cause theprinting unit to print the second sheet in response to pressing of thekey.
 6. The print processing device according to claim 1, wherein theprinting control unit is configured to print the first sheet or thesecond sheet by adding information used for specifying a type of thesheet, and wherein the analyzing unit is configured to analyze a type ofthe sheet based on an image corresponding to the information included inan image acquired as a result of the reading by the reading controlunit.
 7. The print processing device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether thereis an image in the storage medium, wherein when the determination unitis configured to determine that there is an image in the storage medium,the reading control unit is configured to cause the reading unit toexecute reading.
 8. The print processing device according to claim 1,wherein the print control unit is configured to acquire information usedfor specifying an image stored in the storage medium and causes theprinting unit to print the first sheet including the acquiredinformation.
 9. The print processing device according to claim 8,wherein when the image stored in the storage medium is included in animage file of an exchangeable image file format (Exif) format, the printcontrol unit is configured to acquire a thumbnail image included in theimage file.
 10. The print processing device according to claim 8,further comprising: a mounting unit configured to mount an externalstorage medium, wherein the print control unit is configured: to acquireinformation used for specifying an image stored in the external storagemedium mounted in the mounting unit and to cause the printing unit toprint the first sheet including the acquired information.
 11. A methodfor controlling a printing device which comprises a printing unitconfigured to print an image on a sheet, a reading unit configured toread a sheet placed on a document stand, and an operation unitconfigured to include a plurality of keys and to be operated by a user,the method comprising: causing a printing unit to print at least any oneof a first sheet for selecting an image from a plurality of imagesstored in a storage medium and a second sheet for selecting a languageto be used in the first sheet; causing the reading unit to executereading in response to pressing of a predetermined key included in theoperation unit; and analyzing an image acquired as a result of readingby the reading unit, wherein, if a language is not registered, when animage corresponding to the second sheet is detected as a result ofanalysis, the first sheet is printed using a language associated withthe detected image, and when the image corresponding to the second sheetis not detected as the result of analysis, the second sheet is printed.